Young people in the Middle East have spoken of their fears after the US government decided to freeze overseas student interviews and plan to begin vetting their social media accounts.
The directive signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent to diplomatic and consular posts halts interview appointments at US universities.
The move was announced only days after the US took steps to bar foreign students from Harvard University as part of a campaign against some higher education institutions.
The Trump administration said Harvard has not done enough to fight against anti-Semitism and change its admissions practices – allegations the university has strongly denied.
Consular officers have, since March, had to conduct mandatory social media reviews looking for evidence of support for “terrorist activity or a terrorist organisation”, which could be as broad as showing support for the Palestinian cause, The Guardian reported, quoting a State Department message.
In 2023-2024, the US hosted a record high of 1.1 million international students. About 90,000 are from the Arab World, according to estimates.
Students left in limbo
For Noor, a 20-year-old Syrian student accepted into a Ivy League university, the moment she received her US visa should have been a triumph. Instead, it has left her sick with anxiety.
"I got my visa last week, but what if it gets revoked? Even if it doesn’t, I’m scared I might not be allowed into the States," she told The National.
The student still believes the US will provide her with the best opportunity to pursue her academic ambitions.
"Despite everything, I still believe going to the US is my best option,” said Noor. "As a Syrian, I need a full scholarship – and that's hard to find elsewhere.”
She is well aware, however, of the challenges she and fellow students in the region must overcome to study in the US.
"There's a real fear among Mena students that their identity could work against them,” she said. "I've even avoided posting anything political, especially about Palestine. Once we're in the US, we won't be able to speak freely. People are being arrested for what they post."
Swapping US for Finland
Arjun Menon Tiwari, 17, who has lived most of his life in Abu Dhabi, was accepted into US universities including NYU, UNC Chapel Hill and Boston University. But he has made the difficult decision to walk away.
"With the new Trump administration, a lot of student visas are being taken away,” he said. "If I'm not able to stay long enough to complete my degree and find a job, then it's not worth the risk.”
Arjun has instead chosen to study computer science at the University of Helsinki in Finland, favouring not only the country's high-quality education but also its reputation for happiness, safety and long-term opportunity.
"It was disappointing to let go of a dream, but in hindsight, it feels like the best decision.
"Europe feels more stable. There's less risk, and the opportunities are still world-class. You have to think long term, not just about getting in, but what happens after.”
Aisha Almekhlafi, a 21-year-old psychology graduate from UAE University, faces a nerve-racking wait before finding out where her future lies. She was accepted into a master's programme at NYU starting in September, but is still to receive her visa.
"It's been really stressful,” she said. "Everything depends on getting that visa – my travel, my housing, even my mental focus. A colleague of mine had her visa rejected and lost an entire term. That fear is always there.”
The timing has upset the plans for thousands of students, particularly from those from regions already under tight scrutiny.
One parent, with a daughter set to return to study in the US after the summer, told The National that she will have to wipe all social media posts and WhatsApp messages before returning. Her daughter is frequently asked, on returning to the US from the UAE, why she spends so much time in the Middle East, she added.
Anxiety grows with uncertainty
At UniHawk, a UAE-based university counselling firm supporting hundreds of US-bound applications, the mood has darkened.
"Even those who've already secured their visas and booked accommodation are now asking if they should proceed,” said Varun Jain, chief executive of UniHawk. "There's considerable anxiety, especially among students with upcoming embassy appointments.”
In response, Mr Jain said his team was encouraging students to keep their options open. "We always advise strong backup plans – the UK, Canada, UAE, Australia or Europe," he added. "Even those admitted to their dream universities are now actively considering alternatives, not out of doubt in their choice, but out of precaution.”
Mr Jain said students can still apply to top universities in the UK through UCAS Clearing, or directly to institutions in Ireland, Europe and Australia. Many top-tier Australian universities – often referred to as the Group of Eight – are still accepting applications.
For some, enrolling in a university in the UAE for their first year and transferring later to the US when the situation stabilises is a practical strategy.
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
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Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
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Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
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Paatal Lok season two
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THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
World Cup warm up matches
May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol; Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff
May 25 England v Australia, Southampton; India v New Zealand, The Oval
May 26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff
May 27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton; England v Afghanistan, The Oval
May 28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol; Bangladesh v India, Cardiff
